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How to Use a Hammer

The Perfect Tool for the Job!

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Here are a few hints on how to use a hammer. Don’t get nailed!

  • Don’t buy a hammer with a visible casting seam. It could fly apart as you work with it. Good hammer heads are all one smooth piece and won’t shatter.
  • If the handle on your wooden hammer comes loose, soak the entire tool in linseed oil for several hours to encourage the wood to swell—and tighten the head.
  • Just like when you hold a tennis racket, the closer to the end of the handle you grip, the more power you will wield.
  • Wear goggles when you hammer, especially if you are working with masonry or hardened nails or tackling a project above your head or at eye level.
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About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
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Comments

<span>Ron Mcgilvray</span> Mon, 07/27/2015 - 16:15
When pulling a nail, always turn the hammer on the horizontal plane, grabbing the nail near the bottom and bend it down. The nail will bend but you get more power in the pull.